The Irish Prime Minister will insist that the Brexit commitments made by Britain in December should be legally binding when he speaks to the European Parliament later.

Phase one of the talks concluded at the end of 2017 after agreement that the Irish border should remain open and that those born in Northern Ireland continue to be EU citizens.

And although the British government have pledged the agreement "was much more than just legally enforceable", the Taoiseach will call for it to be translated into the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement.

Leo Varadkar will be the first EU Leader to speak to the European Parliament in a series of debates called the Future of Europe.

Dr Varadkar said before his departure: "The values of solidarity, partnership, and cooperation which are central to the European project, have brought Ireland from a position of being one of the least developed Member States when we joined, to one of the most prosperous today.

"So, along with other member states who have benefited so much from the EU, we have a particular responsibility now to lead on the future of Europe debate. We have much to offer and much to give - and I believe firmly in that responsibility and relish the opportunity."

Dr Varadkar is expected to outline Ireland’s views on the second round of Brexit negotiations due to start in March.

In a striking a conciliatory tone, the Taoiseach will emphasis the importance of "reaching a close and constructive future relationship with the UK".